I love going Up North. I always loved going Up North. And here in southeastern Michigan, everyone has a pretty decent idea of where you’re going if you tell them you’re going Up North.
You’re heading to northern Michigan.
A generally accepted demarcation line between Up North and the rest of the state seems to be M-46, an east-west state highway that runs roughly from Muskegon on Lake Michigan in the west to Sanilac on Lake Huron in the east. It’s one of just three major highways that trace paths across Michigan’s mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula.
One helpful list I found on the Web tells us that going Up North for the weekend means that you definitely live in Michigan, and further offers a list of tell-tale signs that indicate you live north of M-46 like having favorite venison recipes or associating the term “Big Mac” with the Mackinac Bridge that joins Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
I suspect the traditional Michigan’s own Mason-Dixon style line between north and south at M-46 has something to do with the highway’s designation as the state’s official demarcation line between a northern zone that allows rifle deer hunting and the southern shotgun zone where deer hunters may only use shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles and some handguns in season.
Yes, the start of firearms season for deer hunting is a big deal in Michigan—whether you hunt or not.
Want to walk in the woods after mid-November? Better make sure you wear one of those blaze-orange vests and make plenty of noise if you’re out in hunting areas. Want to stop for a burger and beer in certain places late in the autumn? Be prepared to see a large beer-company-sponsored “Welcome Hunters!” sign tacked outside of your favorite pub and the possibility that the keg with your favorite beer has already run dry by 8 a.m.
But I digress.
Occasionally I’ll see a reference to Up North referring to northern Minnesota or Wisconsin, but it still means getting away from the largest downstate cities and heading north to the less populated woods and lakes for a little rest and relaxation.
The Exploring the North site about traveling in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin describes “Up North” more as a state of mind, rather than a specific location. I’d have to agree with their assessment that Up North is a place to relax and refresh.
Up North, the pace of life is usually slower and the pleasures simpler. Up North is my favorite place (both in the literal and figurative senses), and I expect to take readers to some of my favorite Up North locations throughout the summer here at Midwest Guest.
Up North for me usually begins as I hit M-115 towards Michigan’s northwestern Lower Peninsula or as I get closer to the Big Mac to cross over the Straits of Mackinac and into the state’s Upper Peninsula.
There! I’m feeling more relaxed already!
© Dominique King 2009
I can't wait to take my husband Up North for the first time. I'm thinking Sleeping Bear Dunes.
However, I think of Up North as anywhere that is at least 2 hours north!
Posted by: Becks Davis | May 26, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I have never been to Michigan, so I wouldn't have a clue about walking in the woods w/out a neon sign. Thanks so much for the tip! :)
So here in California, going Up North, usually means there will be more tye-dye, forest, cold, and liberal politics.
I like going Up North too.
Posted by: Carolina | May 26, 2009 at 09:57 PM
Becks-We love the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. We'd love to have a place up there, and we've visited pretty much at least once a year for eons. I've got a lot of photos and stories from the area and expect to post quite a bit about the area on Midwest Guest this summer.
Carolina-Yup, walking in the woods in the fall can be a bit on the hazardous side in some areas. There is a bit of the hippy-dippy feel in northern Michigan as well...not like northern CA I'd imagine, though!
Posted by: Dominique | May 27, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Great post!
I like to live by the stats. Split the state into thirds. A southern, central, and northern region. Taking this into mind I believe Traverse City is still CENTRAL Michigan, not Northern.
Posted by: Bugsy | June 25, 2009 at 06:06 AM
Bugsy-Thanks!
I grew up with the idea of M-46 as the division and that the U.P. was a whole 'nother thing!
But I still really think "Up North" is a state of mind for me rather than any specific demarcation line :)
Posted by: Dominique | June 25, 2009 at 10:32 PM